Iron Weed
Location
Native Plants
Vernonia gigantea
- Common Name: Ironweed
- Scientific Name: Vernonia gigantea
- Family Name: Asteraceae
- Origin: Eastern United States and Puerto Rico
- Height: 4’ to 10’
- Width: 3’ to 4’
- Growth: Fast growing
- Zone: 8 – 10
- Light Needs: Full sun, part shade
- Salt Tolerance: Low
- Soil/PH/Texture: Smooth texture, loam, sand, adaptable PH
- Soil Moisture: Moist
- Drought Tolerance: Low
- Pests/Diseases: Grasshoppers, thrips, and aphids
- Growing Conditions: Easy to grow and low maintenance
- Characteristics: Giant ironweed is a species of prairies and other grasslands, old fields, roadsides, savannas and woodlands growing on dry to moist soils. It is especially common in overgrazed pasture
- Propagation: Cuttings, seeds.
- Wildlife: Great pollinator plant and nectar source and will attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies
- Facts: The genus name honors the English botanist William Vernon, who did fieldwork in North America
- Designer Considerations: From July to October dark purple flowers can be seen flowering in large masses. Flowers bloom at the tops of the plants, so if you encounter a 6 foot tall ironweed plan, be prepared to look up for blossoms. In the garden, plants can be maintained at a shorter height by pruning them in late winter.
